wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 11 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Together, they cited 26 references. This article has been viewed 7,124 times.
Learn more...

Japan is home to many famous landmarks, cultural traditions, and foods, making it an exciting place for any teenager to visit. Whether you're traveling there for vacation, an exchange program, or any other reason, bringing the proper things can make or break your trip, so it's important to pack properly. As long as you bring the necessities and prepare ahead of time, you'll be able to enjoy Japan with ease!

Know how long your trip will be. Are you touring Japan for a week or two, or are you on a student exchange program or studying abroad for several months? A longer trip will require more luggage, so you'll need to figure out how many bags to bring based on this.

In general, if you're going to Japan for a week or more, you'll want to bring a week's worth of clothes at minimum.

If you're not doing laundry while in Japan (or even if you are and just want to be prepared for spilling something on yourself), bring an extra pair of clothes.

Check the baggage weight limit. Airlines will require that your luggage doesn't exceed a certain weight or size, so you'll need to stay within these limits to avoid being charged extra or having to check a bag. No airline will have the same restrictions, so you'll need to look up the baggage restrictions on the website of the airline(s) you'll be flying with, including any stopover flights.

Take a carry-on bag with you. Carry-on suitcases are stored in the overhead bin during a flight and are arguably more convenient than bringing multiple checked bags. The downside is that they're typically required to be smaller than checked luggage, but it's overall a good idea to bring one with you, especially if your stay is short and doesn't require checked baggage.

Bring a bag as your personal item. To take more onto the plane with you (including in-flight activities like books, handheld game systems, and so forth), take a small bag with you, as airlines will typically allow you to stow a small personal item underneath the seat in front of you. While the bag can be any kind of bag you'd like, make sure it closes securely to reduce the risk of losing something or being pickpocketed.

While purses are a common choice for some travelers, they can be heavy on your shoulder and cause pain if you carry it for extended periods. Consider taking a backpack and keeping a smaller purse inside it.

Use this bag for things that would be inconvenient to not have with you, and things that you want easily accessible during the flight.

Check a bag, if necessary. Checking a bag gives you the ability to bring far more of your belongings to Japan and allows you to take certain items that you can't bring in a carry-on (e.g. liquids in containers bigger than 3.4 fluid ounces (100 ml)). And, as a bonus, you get more room to bring things back from Japan if you'd like! If you're traveling to Japan for an extended period, it may be in your better interest to bring a checked bag, but talk with your parents or guardians (or anyone else you may be traveling with) to see if it's necessary.

Be aware that you may be charged a fee for checking baggage.

The number of bags you can check will depend on the airline. Some airlines will allow you to check two bags or more, while others will limit you to one.

Don't pack valuables of any sort into checked baggage; if your bag gets lost, stolen, or damaged, those items will be gone.

Check the weather and climate for the area you're going to. Japan is home to many climates and types of weather, so it's important to consider the typical weather patterns for where you're going and what season you're traveling in. Generally, northern regions of Japan (such as Hokkaido) are much cooler, while regions that are further south (such as Okinawa or Kyushu) are considerably warmer.[1]XResearch source

Summers in Japan are frequently hot and tend to be extremely humid, with a rainy season (tsuyu) during June and July for most of the country.[2]XResearch source Fall and winter, on the other hand, are much cooler and less humid, with some areas being prone to snow.

Choose presentable clothing made of breathable fabrics. Japan can be fairly humid, especially during the summer, and you may find yourself sweating more than you anticipated. On the flip side, buildings can be fairly cold due to AC and the fall and winter seasons aren't particularly warm, unless you're in southern Japan. Choose clothes made of breathable materials such as cotton and layer them depending on the weather.[3]XResearch source

Avoid clothing that's torn, stained, or has holes in it (especially socks).[4]XResearch source

Bright and colorful clothes are very common in tourist areas like Tokyo and Kyoto. If you're outside of these areas, however, you may want to opt for more conservative and less colorful clothing.[5]XResearch source (If you're not sure, you can look up what the typical fashions for that area are; if it's a densely-populated region, you should find some tips.)[6]XResearch source

Wear breathable undergarments. Underwear, bras, and socks made of materials such as cotton are a good choice, especially if you're traveling during summer. (Even if you're not, you may end up sweating from walking around or being jammed into a packed train!)

Larger sizes of clothing are difficult to find in Japan, and this especially applies to undergarments such as bras. Make sure you bring enough of them.[7]XResearch source

Pick out shirts. The kinds of tops you wear will mostly be determined by the weather and location; generally, more revealing tops (such as sleeveless shirts, tank tops, or crop tops) are more common in the cities and tourist areas, but are rare in less-populated areas of Japan.[8]XResearch source If you're not sure what to bring, choose shirts that cover your stomach, back, and shoulders, and avoid patterns or wildly colorful shirts in favor of more neutral ones. You'll generally get a good idea of what's acceptable based on how people in the area dress, as well.

The chest and cleavage are considered provocative in Japan, and wearing low-cut shirts may result in awkward stares. However, it's not likely that you'll be chastised for it.[9]XResearch source

Shirts with writing and graphics on them are somewhat common in the city, but not so much in more rural areas.

If you exercise, bring a shirt for your exercise - it's not a good idea to go jogging shirtless, for example (regardless of your gender).[10]XResearch source

Select pants. While the pants you wear will be affected by the weather and where in Japan you're going, you're generally not too restricted - you can choose to wear shorts, long pants, skirts, or dresses if you're comfortable in them. Like with shirts, it's a good idea to opt for more modest and less casual pants if you're in a more rural area.

Skip the skinny jeans and other tight pants during the summer. The humidity of Japanese summers means you'll be sweating a lot, and tight pants may chafe your legs.

Japan can be extremely windy, so if you decide to wear skirts or dresses, wear shorts underneath them (especially if your skirt is short).[11]XResearch source

Take walking shoes. Since it's fairly likely you'll be walking around Japan a lot, pick out one or two pairs of walking shoes that you know are comfortable. While fancy shoes and heels are popular in major cities, they ultimately won't be very comfortable, and you'll be valuing your comfort over your appearance when there are no seats left on the train!

Ideally, your shoes should be easy to slip off, since you may have to change shoes when entering and exiting some buildings.[12]XResearch source

Put extra shoes in a plastic bag to prevent them from leaving markings all over your clothes. You can reuse the plastic bag later for something else, like dirty laundry.

Break in your shoes before you travel to Japan to reduce the risk of discomfort.[13]XResearch source

If you choose to bring a pair of dressier shoes, only bring one pair. Anything more will just weigh down your bag.

Bring slippers if you're staying in someone's house. If you're participating in a homestay (for example, as part of a study-abroad program), you'll want to bring a pair of slippers that you will only wear indoors, since Japanese people wear slippers in their house to keep the floor clean. Pick a pair of slippers that you might wear when in your house or in a locker room. Don't rely on just walking around in your socks, since this isn't considered an acceptable substitute.

Many public spots either won't need you to change your shoes or will offer slippers when you do, so if you're not staying home, you may not need to bring slippers.

Bring weather-appropriate clothing. Even if you're only going to be in Japan for a week or two, the weather might not be what you expected, particularly if you're traveling during the rainy season! While it's recommended to layer your clothes when needed, it's also vital to bring clothing that will stand up against the kind of temperatures you expect to encounter.[14]XResearch source

Take a light jacket in the summer and keep it in your bag - buildings and trains can get surprisingly cold from the AC, especially if you've been sweating a lot. (Don't plan on wearing it around your waist, because you may sweat through your shirt into the jacket and make it damp.)

Pack a raincoat or poncho, especially if you're traveling during the rainy season.

Bring winter clothes during colder months, such as a thick jacket, gloves, hats, and scarves. However, keep your location in mind. A puffy jacket is a necessity in Sapporo winters, but not Naha winters.

Mix and match your clothes. To keep within the weight limit, don't pack 20 different types of the same pair of jeans - just take a week or two's worth of clothing and mix-and-match to create new outfits. This will help you travel lightly, and prevents instances of seeing something in your bag and wondering why you brought it!

Pack up your toiletries. Remember that any liquids, such as toothpaste or shampoo, can't be in containers that hold more than 3.4 fluid ounces (100 ml) if you're bringing them in your carry-on bag. Keep these in a smaller bag inside your suitcase, so it's easier to take them out and scan them, and just in case the pressure causes something to open.[15]XResearch source

Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss

Deodorant (don't plan on buying it in Japan, it may not suppress your smell)[16]XResearch source

Choose electronics. In a technology-filled world, chances are good that you'll be bringing a cell phone or computer with you at the very least. Consider bringing things such as:

Cell phones, laptops, tablets, handheld gaming devices, e-readers, and cameras. Make sure to update any necessary apps or software and back up any devices that need it, and to charge them before your flight.

You'll likely need to purchase a cell phone plan before going abroad. Otherwise, your phone may not work, or you may be charged hefty fees.

Remember to bring adapters. Japan's electrical voltage is 100 volts, and electrical outlets are two-pronged. (Some North American electronics will work fine in Japan, but electronics with motors, such as hair dryers, will be damaged without use of an adapter.)[18]XResearch source

Consider bringing portable chargers on your trip, if you have them. You may also want to consider a plug with multiple USB ports so you can charge multiple devices at once, or even bringing a power strip (though in many cases, a power strip is overkill).

Pack any medications you may need. If you take medications, you'll need to bring an adequate supply to Japan, but it's important to be aware that Japan has much stricter laws on medication than some other countries do. Check the legal status of any medication you bring to Japan, and make sure to apply for the proper legal documents to bring them in if the medication is protected or illegal, or if you need to bring a lot of it.

You may want to consider bringing a travel pack of some over-the-counter medications such as Advil, since you may have a hard time finding it in Japan. However, check to make sure the medication isn't restricted or illegal.

If you need to bring more than a month's worth of medication, you'll need to apply for a yakkan shoumei, which takes about one to two weeks to process (for North Americans, Europeans and Australians) depending on whether you need an original copy. If you're leaving for your trip sooner than that, you'll need to reach out to a pharmaceutical inspector in the part of Japan that you're traveling to.[19]XResearch source

Certain medications used for mental health treatment, such as Prozac and Adderall, are illegal in Japan. You also can't bring stimulants, opiates, or any recreational drugs (including marijuana).[20]XResearch source If you need opiates or psychoactive drugs, you'll need to apply for a permit to bring them into Japan.

Take your necessary documents. Especially if you're traveling alone, things like your passport and boarding pass are a necessity and you need to make sure they're kept safe. Keep them in a place that's easily accessible, but don't put them somewhere where they could fall out (so avoid back pockets, for example).

Passport (and visa, if applicable)

Plane tickets and boarding passes

Travel health insurance and your medical information (if you need it)

When you're on the plane, you will receive immigration cards to fill out and give to the staff at customs. Do not lose these cards. They're necessary to enter the country.

Convert your cash. Japan uses yen as their national currency, so you'll want to exchange your currency before you go. While it may seem a bit extreme, it might be best to take at least 100 dollars worth of your native currency and 10,000 yen in cash with you, in case you don't have access to a credit card and need emergency money.

It's a good idea to have cash yen on you in Japan, since it's the most common means of paying for something (in contrast to the large-scale usage of credit cards in the US). Credit cards and IC cards are sometimes used to pay for transactions, but they're not as common, especially in rural areas.[21]XResearch source

If you're bringing a credit or debit card, make sure your bank knows that you're going abroad; otherwise, your card may be frozen. You should also be prepared not to rely on your card, since not all shops can take them (and you may have to pay extra fees).[22]XResearch source

Grab some activities for the flight. To keep yourself occupied while on your way to Japan, pick out some activities that will take up some of your time. While many flights to Japan will have amenities such as movies and charging stations on the plane, and you'll likely have time to sleep as well, it's a good idea to have other activities just in case you don't like the movie selection or need something else to do on the flight. Consider bringing:[23]XResearch source

Books and/or magazines

Laptops, tablets, and smartphones (preload them with music, movies, TV shows, and podcasts before you leave)

Tips

You won't stand out in a busy city like Tokyo if you wear outlandish or more revealing clothing, or if you have bright purple hair (in fact, Harajuku is known for its off-the-wall street fashions). However, you'll definitely raise some eyebrows if you dress that way in a rural area.[24]XResearch source

Keep important items, such as your passport, plane tickets, cell phone, and money, in safe areas. Don't stick them in your back pocket - keep them somewhere like a zippered bag that you won't leave behind.

If you're traveling from America and have TSA Pre-Check clearance, the process of going through security will be sped up. You won't have to remove your computer or liquids from your bag, and you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jackets on.[25]XTrustworthy SourceU.S. Transportation Security AdministrationU.S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocolsGo to source

If you're planning on visiting a beach that allows swimming, you may want to consider bringing a less-revealing swimsuit, like swim trunks or a one-piece swimsuit. Don't bring a swimsuit if you plan on going to an onsen, however; onsens do not permit swimsuits.[26]XResearch source

Warnings

Don't leave your bags unattended at the airport. Your luggage can get stolen or taken away as a security measure. If you need to step away, take your bags with you or ask someone that you're traveling with to watch them for you.

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 11 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Together, they cited 26 references. This article has been viewed 7,124 times.